Fired Illini coach Beckman volunteering at UNC

Tim Beckman, who was fired as the Illinois Fighting Illini’s football coach last year following a school investigation that found he mistreated players, is now a volunteer coach on defense for North Carolina, a school official confirmed Wednesday.

Beckman was fired by the Illini on Aug. 28, 2015, following a school investigation that concluded that the coach influenced medical decisions and pressured players to play hurt. In April, Beckman settled a wrongful termination lawsuit against the school for $250,000.

Tim Beckman was fired by Illinois last year after a school investigation that found he mistreated players. AP Images/Nam Y. Huh

Beckman has a working history with Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora, as they were both assistant coaches on Oklahoma State’s staff in 2007.

Beckman went 12-25 in three years as Illinois’ coach — and just 4-20 in Big Ten play. The Illini made a bowl game in Beckman’s final season, losing to Louisiana Tech in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl.

A school investigation into Beckman’s program was launched following Twitter allegations from former Illinois offensive lineman Simon Cvijanovic in May 2015.

UNC travels to Champaign this year to take on Illinois on Sept. 10, although it is unclear whether Beckman’s duties with the Heels will require him to travel.